Harry Reid... the charismatic senator-for-life from Nevada, currently majority leader ...
(D-Nev.) on Wednesday pledged to work with Republicans when they are in the majority and eschew the strategy of obstruction he has accused them of using against Democrats.
"I am ready, Mr. President, to work with him in good faith to make this institution function again for the American people. I saw firsthand how a strategy of destruction was debilitating to our system," he said, addressing the Senate chair.
"I have no desire to engage in that manner," he said.
Democrats accused Republicans of using filibusters over the past four years to paralyze the Senate and drive down public opinion of Congress and government as part of a broader political strategy.
With Republicans set to take control of the upper chamber in January, it has raised questions about whether Democrats might seek Dire Revenge by blocking Republican initiatives in order to run against a dysfunctional GOP Congress in 2016.
Reid said that would not happen.
"I have been able to strike compromise with my Republican colleagues and I'm ready to do it again. Regardless of how you may interpret last week's election results, it's clear the American people want us to join together to get things done for the middle class and all Americans," he said.
Reynold’s map of free and slave states in the U.S. circa 1856. With the exception of the colours and the status of the slaves, not much has actually changed.